s morning.
When shall I tell Thady to call down?--But wouldn't you take a glass
of--"

Wine, Feemy was going to say, but she knew she had none to offer.

"Not a taste in life of anything, thank you, Miss Feemy; not a drop,
I'm very much obliged to you: but I'm sorry to find your good father
so bent on not hearing me, as I have something to propose which he
couldn't but be glad to hear."

"Well, father, will you listen to what Mr. Keegan has to say?"

"Don't I tell you, Feemy, that the bill doesn't come round before
November? and it's very hard he won't lave me in pace till that time
comes."

"You see," continued Feemy, "that he won't hear anything; don't you
think you'd better wait and see Thady down at Carrick?"

Now this was what Mr. Keegan did not want; in fact, his wish was to
talk over Larry Macdermot to agree to something to which he feared
Thady would object; but he had had no idea the old man would be so
obstinate. He, however, was at a loss how to proceed, when Feemy
declared that Thady was seen approaching.

"Well, then, Miss Feemy, as your brother is here, and as your father
isn't just himself this morning, I might as well do my business with
him; but as it is of some importance, and as Mr. Flannelly wishes to
have your father's answer as soon as possible, he will not object, I
hope, to giving his opinion, when he shall have heard what I have to
say."

By this time Thady was before the door, and on Feemy's calling to
him, informing him that Mr. Keegan was in the house, waiting to speak
to him, he came up into the parlour.

"How do you do this morning?" said the lawyer, shaking Thady by the
hand, "how d'ye do? I've just ridden up here to bring a message to
your father from Mr. Flannelly about this mortgage he holds; but your
father doesn't seem quite the thing this morning, and therefore it's
as well you came in. Of course what I have to say concerns you as
well as him."

"Of course, Mr. Keegan; I look after the affairs at Ballycloran
mostly, now. Don't you know it's me you look to for the money?--and
I'm sorry you should have to bother my father about it. Just step out
of the room, Feemy."

And the young lady retreated to her own possessions.

"Why, now, Mr. Thady, how you all put your backs up because an
unfortunate attorney comes to call on you. What I'm come to say is
what I hope and think you'll both be glad to hear; and I trust you've
too much good sense to put your father against it mer